Ventilating insole for footwear

ABSTRACT

A footwear insole including a ventilation mechanism for helping to reduce moisture, increase comfort, and/or reduce odor inside the footwear.

BACKGROUND

An insole is typically placed inside the upper of an article of footwear (such as shoes, boots, and so forth) and atop the outsole of the footwear. Footwear insoles can provide comfort and/or orthopedic support to the user of the footwear.

There is a need for insoles that provide additional benefits to footwear users.

SUMMARY

In general terms, this disclosure is directed to a footwear insole that includes a compressible element.

In one aspect, a footwear insole includes a compressible element that absorbs shock occasioned by walking, jogging or running.

In another aspect, a footwear insole includes an embedded compressible element that produces air flow within the insole upon compression of the compressible element by the user of the footwear.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of an example footwear insole in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is schematic, perspective cross-sectional view of the footwear insole of FIG. 1 along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example compressible element embeddable in a footwear insert in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative example of a compressible element embeddable in a footwear insole in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed towards a footwear insole. Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a top view of an example footwear insole 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of the footwear insole 100 of FIG. 1 along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example compressible element 122 embeddable in a footwear insole in accordance with the present disclosure, such as the footwear insole 100 of FIG. 1.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the footwear insole 100 includes a top 102, a bottom 104, a front 106, a back 108, a heel portion 110, an arch portion 112, a front portion 114, a top layer 116, a channel 118, a bottom layer 120 and a compressible element 122. With reference to FIG. 3, the compressible element 122 includes a shell 124 having an open end 126 and an interior cavity 128. Although a left foot insole 100 is shown in the figures, it should be appreciated that the principles of this disclosure apply equally to right foot insoles and insoles that can be used for both right and left feet.

The top 102 faces upwards when placed in an article of footwear providing a surface for contact with the user's foot. The bottom 104 abuts the top of the outsole of the footwear, with the front 106 disposed toward the front of the footwear and the back 108 disposed toward the back of the footwear. The heel portion 110 provides a surface for contact with the user's heel. The arch portion 112 is disposed beneath the arch of the user's foot. The front portion 114 is disposed beneath the ball and toes of the user's foot.

The top layer 116 consists of a cushioning material, such as foam, rubber, leather, or the like such that the top layer 116 provides comfort and/or shock absorption to the user of the footwear. In some examples, the top layer 116 is porous (e.g., a nylon mesh structure) and/or allows air from below the top layer 116 to reach the foot of the user. The bottom layer 120 consists of any suitable material for a footwear insole and can be compressible or alternatively incompressible. Example materials for the bottom layer 120 include foam, rubber, leather, plastic, and so forth. In some examples the bottom layer material is nonporous and/or does not permit airflow therethrough.

In some examples the top layer 116 and the bottom layer 120 are coupled together (e.g., by weaving, stitching, staples, nails, or other fastening means) about the entire perimeter of the footwear insole 100, creating the channel 118 therebetween, and such that the compressible element 122 can be housed (e.g., embedded) between the top layer 116 and the bottom layer 120. In other examples, along one or more sections of the perimeter of the footwear insole 100 (e.g., around the heel portion 110), there is no coupling between the top layer 116 and the bottom layer 120. For example, an uncoupled heel portion 110 can allow easy access to the compressible element 122 to remove and/or replace the compressible element 122. In some examples the entire footwear insole 100 is removable from the footwear and replaceable.

The channel 118 is disposed between the bottom layer 120 and the top layer 116. The channel 118 allows for air flow therethrough. The channel 118 may be hollow. In alternative examples 118, the channel includes one or more materials that allow airflow therethrough.

The compressible element 122 is disposed in the channel 118, above the bottom layer 120 and below the top layer 116. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the compressible element 122 is disposed in the heel portion 110 of the footwear insole 100 such that downward force by the heel of the user compresses the compressible element 122. In alternative examples, the compressible element can be disposed in, e.g., the arch portion 112 or the front portion 114 of the insole 100, and is compressible when the middle or front part of the user's foot, respectively, applies a downward force thereon.

In the example shown, the compressible element 122 is disposed in the heel portion 110 of the insole 100, with the open end 126 of the compressible element 122 facing towards the front portion 114 of the insole 100. The shell 124 is made of a reversibly deformable, resilient material such as foam, rubber, silicone, other flexible material, or the like. Thus, in some examples, the compressible element 122 provides shock absorption to the user, absorbing and/or distributing the shock occasioned by walking, jogging, or running as the compressible element is deformed. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the shell 124 forms a pocket structure defined by the open end 126 and a closed or sealed end opposing the open end 126, and having the interior cavity 128.

The compressible element 122 has a relaxed state, in which the user's foot does not apply pressure thereon; and a deformed state, in which force from the user's foot deforms the compressible element 122. The compressible element 122 is configured to return to its relaxed state following release of the user's foot pressure.

The shell 124 defines the interior cavity 128. In the relaxed state, the cavity contains air. As the user steps, applying downward force on the compressible element 122, the compressible element 122 deforms, forcing air out of the interior cavity 128 through the open end 126. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, when the compressible element 122 is deformed, air is directed forwardly down the channel 118 towards the front portion 114 of the insole. Some or all of this air passes into and/or through the top layer 116, the air flow reaching the user's foot, thereby ventilating the user's foot. Such ventilation can provide numerous benefits, including but not limited to additional comfort, improved dryness, and reduced odor. When the user releases pressure from the compressible element 122, the compressible element 122 returns to the relaxed state, taking in air into the interior cavity 128, so that the ventilation cycle may commence again with a subsequent step taken by the user.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative example of a compressible element 140 embeddable in a footwear insole in accordance with the present disclosure. The compressible element 140 includes a shell 142 having two interior cavities 144, each of the interior cavities 144 having an open end 146.

In some examples, the compressible element 140 is disposed in the heel portion 110 of the insole 100 (see FIG. 2), with the open end 146 of the compressible element 140 facing towards the front portion 114 of the insole 100 (see FIG. 2). The shell 142 is made of a reversibly deformable, resilient material such as foam, rubber, silicone, or the like. Thus, in some examples, the compressible element 140 provides shock absorption to the user, absorbing and/or distributing the shock occasioned by walking, jogging, or running as the compressible element is deformed. The shell 142 forms a double pocket structure defined by the open ends 146 and a closed or sealed end opposing the open ends 146, and having the interior cavities 144.

The compressible element 140 has a relaxed state, in which the user's foot does not apply pressure thereon; and a deformed state, in which force from the user's foot deforms the compressible element 140. The compressible element 140 is configured to return to its relaxed state following release of the user's foot pressure.

The shell 142 defines the interior cavities 144. In the relaxed state, the interior cavities 144 contain air. As the user steps, applying downward force on the compressible element 140, the compressible element 140 deforms, forcing air out of the interior cavities 144 through the open ends 146. When the compressible element 140 replaces the compressible element in the shoe sole configuration of FIG. 2, upon deformation of the compressible element 122, air is directed forwardly down the channel 118 towards the front portion 114 of the insole. Some of this air passes into and/or through the top layer 116, the air flow reaching the user's foot, thereby ventilating the user's foot. Such ventilation can provide numerous benefits as described above. When the user releases pressure from the compressible element 140, the compressible element 140 returns to the relaxed state, taking in air into the interior cavities 144, so that the ventilation cycle may commence again with a subsequent step taken by the user.

Other suitable configurations for the compressible element are also possible, such as compressible elements containing three or more air filled interior cavities (e.g., foam blocks) that release air when compressed. In addition, the position and orientation of the compressible element can vary. For example, the compressible element can be placed in the front portion 114 of the footwear insole 100 (FIG. 2) and oriented to release air towards the heel portion 110 upon compression by the ball or toes of the user's foot.

In alternative examples, the footwear insole of the present disclosure can be truncated (e.g., a heel portion of an insole only), such that upon compression of the compressible element air passes along the bottom of the user's foot without traveling first through a channel or the upper layer of the footwear insole.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. 

1. An insole for footwear, the insole comprising: a top layer, the top layer being porous; a bottom layer, the bottom layer extending from a front-most portion of the insole to a rear-most portion of the insole; a channel disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer; and a compressible element disposed in the channel, the compressible element being housed entirely between the top layer and the bottom layer, the compressible element comprising a reversibly deformable shell defining at least one interior cavity, the compressible element configured to release air from the at least one interior cavity into the channel upon compression of the compressible element.
 2. The insole as in claim 1, wherein the compressible element is disposed in a heel portion of the insole.
 3. The insole as in claim 1, wherein the compressible element comprises at least two interior cavities.
 4. The insole as in claim 1, wherein the top layer of the insole comprises a mesh material.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The insole as in claim 1, wherein the compressible element is configured to absorb shock from taking a step.
 7. The insole as in claim 1, wherein the compressible element comprises a flexible material.
 8. The insole as in claim 2, wherein the compressible element comprises an open end and a closed end disposed opposite the open end.
 9. The insole as in claim 8, wherein the open end faces towards a front portion of the insole.
 10. An insole for footwear, the insole comprising: a top layer, the top layer being porous; a bottom layer, the bottom layer comprising an uppermost surface extending from a front-most portion of the insole to a rear-most portion of the insole; a channel disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer; and a compressible element disposed in the channel entirely above the uppermost surface of the bottom layer and below the top layer, the compressible element comprising a reversibly deformable shell defining at least one interior cavity, the compressible element configured to release air from the at least one interior cavity into the channel upon compression of the compressible element.
 11. The insole as in claim 10, wherein the compressible element is disposed in a heel portion of the insole.
 12. The insole as in claim 10, wherein the top layer of the insole comprises a mesh material.
 13. The insole as in claim 10, wherein the compressible element is configured to absorb shock from taking a step.
 14. The insole as in claim 10, wherein the compressible element comprises a flexible material.
 15. The insole as in claim 11, wherein the compressible element comprises an open end and a closed end disposed opposite the open end.
 16. The insole as in claim 15, wherein the open end faces towards a front portion of the insole. 